.Volkswagen (often abbreviated to VW) is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany.^VW is an automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg , Germany in the state of Lower Saxony .

.In 2009, the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG endorsed the creation of an integrated automotive group with Porsche under the leadership of Volkswagen.^Volkswagen AG Reports Sales Results for 2009 01/11/2010 Volkswagen AG reported sales results for 2009.

.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, in which it is pronounced [ˈfɔlksˌvaːɡən].^Volkswagen Scirocco TSI For 2010 the German automaker will offer the fresh Scirocco sports car with a new entry level engine: a 1.4 Liter (...

.Its current tagline or slogan is Das Auto (in English The Car).^Suzuki's expertise in producing smaller hybrid and electric cars comes at a particular advantage in the Chinese auto market, where Volkswagen is currently the number one car maker.

.Its previous German tagline was Aus Liebe zum Automobil, which translates to: Out of Love for the Car, or, For Love of the Automobile, as translated by VW in other languages.^Its German tagline is "Aus Liebe zum Automobil", which is translated as "For the love of the car" - or, For Love of the People's Cars," as translated by VW in other languages.

History

.In the early 1930s German auto industry was still largely composed of luxury models, and the average German rarely could afford something more than a motorcycle.^German car company Volkswagen are planning to release more cars in 2010 than any other year in their history and they have started with unveiling the NCC at the Detroit auto show ...

.The trend was not new, as Béla Barényi is credited with having conceived the basic design in the middle 1920's.^Sangyup Lee, the General Motors designer credited with the exterior design of the new Chevrolet Camaro, has left the company to join Volkswagen’s Southern California studio.

.Josef Ganz developed the Standard Superior (going as far as advertising it as the "German Volkswagen").^The brand traces its roots back to Ferdindand Porsche, founder of Porsche, who developed the original Volkswagen Beetle for the German government.

[3].Also, in Czechoslovakia, the Hans Ledwinka's penned Tatra T77, a very popular car amongst the German elite, was becoming smaller and more affordable at each revision.^Adolf Hitler 's desire that almost anybody should be able to afford a car coincided with this design"although much of this design was inspired by the advanced Tatra cars of Hans Ledwinka .

^Much of the essential equipment had already been moved to underground bunkers for protection, allowing production to resume quickly once hostilities had ended.Much of the Beetle's design was inspired by the advanced Tatra cars of Hans Ledwinka, particularly the T97.

.In 1933, with many of the above projects still in development or early stages of production, Adolf Hitler declared his intentions for a state-sponsored "Volkswagen" program.^In the eighties and early nineties, Volkswagen's sales in the United States and Canada fell dramatically, despite the success of models like the Golf elsewhere.

.Hitler required a basic vehicle capable of transporting two adults and three children at 100 km/h (62 mph).^Hitler decreed that this car should be capable of transporting two adults and three children at a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and that it should cost no more than a motorcycle and sidecar to buy.

.The "People's Car" would be available to citizens of the Third Reich through a savings scheme at 990 Reichsmark, about the price of a small motorcycle (an average income being around 32RM a week).^A savings scheme was also launched that would enable people to buy the car.

.Despite heavy lobbying in favor of one of the existing projects, Hitler chose to sponsor an all new, state owned factory.^Some $4 billion of new Japanese factories are starting up in Europe just as European carmakers are watching their own sales slide -- ...

.By then an already famed engineer, Porsche was the designer of the Mercedes 170H, and worked at Steyr for quite some time in the late 1920s.^The car already had its distinctive round shape (designed by Erwin Komenda) and its air-cooled, flat-four, rear-mounted engine.

.When he opened his own design studio he landed two separate "Auto für Jedermann" (car for everybody) projects with NSU and Zündapp, both motorcycle manufacturers.^Car manufacturers were not interested, but two motorcycle manufacturers were.

^He had been chief designer for Daimler-Benz, Auto-Union, and now had his own engineering consultation firm.

A Picture Review of the Volkswagen Beetle from 1932 to 196028 January 2010 1:01 UTColdcarandtruckpictures.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

Neither project come to fruition, stalling at prototype phase, but the basic concept remained in Porsche's mind time enough, so on 22 June 1934, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche agreed to create the "People's Car" for Hitler.

.Changes included better fuel efficiency, reliability, ease of use, and economically efficient repairs and parts.^Hitler had a keen interest in cars but was not particularly technically knowledgeable himself and demanded Porsche make changes to the original design to include better fuel efficiency (to make it more economical for the working man), reliability, ease of use, and economically efficient repairs and parts.

.The intention was that ordinary Europeans would buy the car by means of a savings scheme ("Fünf Mark die Woche musst Du sparen, willst Du im eigenen Wagen fahren" — "Save five Marks a week, if you want to drive your own car"), which around 336,000 people eventually paid into.^You can also ask your own questions.

.Volkswagen honored its savings agreements in West Germany (but not in East Germany) after World War II[citation needed].^Volkswagen honored its savings agreements after World War II; Ford, which had a similar "coupon" savings system, reportedly did not.

.Prototypes of the car called the "KdF-Wagen" (German: Kraft durch Freude — "strength through joy"), appeared from 1936 onwards (the first cars had been produced in Stuttgart).^Prototypes of the car called the KdF-Wagen (German: Kraft durch Freude = "strength through joy"), appeared from 1936 onwards (the first cars had been produced in Stuttgart).

^See also [1]Prototypes of the car called the KdF-Wagen (German: Kraft durch Freude = strength through joy; the car was so called because it was intended to be sold to members of the KdF, a Nazi leisure organization), appeared from 1935 onwardsthe first prototypes were produced by Daimler-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany.

The prefix Volks— ("People's") was not just applied to cars, but also to other products in Europe; the "Volksempfänger" radio receiver for instance. On 28 May 1937, the Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH (sometimes abbreviated to Gezuvor[5]) was established by the Deutsche Arbeitsfront. It was later renamed "Volkswagenwerk GmbH" on 16 September 1938.[6]

VW Type 82E

.Erwin Komenda, the longstanding Auto Union chief designer, developed the car body of the prototype, which was recognizably the Beetle known today.^Erwin Komenda, the longstanding Porsche chief designer, developed the car body of the prototype, which was recognizably the Beetle we know today.

.It was one of the first to be evolved with the aid of a wind tunnel, in use in Germany since the early 1920s.^It was one of the first to be designed with the aid of a wind tunnel ; unlike the Chrysler Airflow , it would be a success.

.The building of the new factory started 26 May 1938 in the new town of KdF-Stadt, now called Wolfsburg, which had been purpose-built for the factory workers.^The new factory in the new town of KdF-Stadt, now called Wolfsburg, purpose-built for the factory workers, only produced a handful of cars by the time war started in 1939 .

.This factory had only produced a handful of cars by the time war started in 1939. None was actually delivered to any holder of the completed saving stamp books, though one Type 1 Cabriolet was presented to Hitler on 20 April 1938 (his 49th birthday).^The new factory in the new town of KdF-Stadt, now called Wolfsburg, purpose-built for the factory workers, only produced a handful of cars by the time war started in 1939 .

.War meant production changed to military vehicles, the Type 82 Kübelwagen ("Bucket car") utility vehicle (VW's most common wartime model), and the amphibiousSchwimmwagen which were used to equip the German forces..^War meant production changed to military vehicles, the Type 81 Kübelwagen utility vehicle (VW's most common wartime model) and the amphibious Schwimmwagen .

.In April 1945, KdF-Stadt, and its heavily bombed factory were captured by the Americans, and subsequently handed over to the British, within whose occupation zone the town and factory fell.^During the war the Volkswagen facilities were bombed and captured by the Americans and subsequently turned over to the British.

.Since it had been used for military production, and had been in Hirst's words a "political animal" rather than a commercial enterprise, the equipment was in time intended to be salvaged as war reparations.^Since it had been used for military production, and had been a "political animal" (Hirst's words) rather than a commercial enterprise, the equipment was in time intended to be salvaged as war reparations.

^Since it had been used for military production, and had been a "political animal" (Hirst's words) rather than a commercial enterprise, the equipment was in time intended to be salvaged as war reparations .

.Short of light transport, in September 1945 the British Army was persuaded to place a vital order for 20,000. The first few hundred cars went to personnel from the occupying forces, and to the German Post Office.^The first few hundred cars went to personnel from the occupying forces, and to the German Post Office.

.Some British Service personnel were allowed to take their VW Beetles back to the United Kingdom when they were demobilized, and one of the very first Beetles brought back in that way (UK registration number JLT 420) is still owned by Peter Colborne-Baber, the son of the original proprietor of the UK's first official Volkswagen Importer, Colborne Garages of Ripley, Surrey.^VW Racing UK now have their own cup, they also have had Rallyed a Polo 1600 class and Golf TDI. Australia: VW has a very close relationship with motorsport it was the REDeX and Mobil Trials of the 1950s which propelled VW to be a sales success in Australia.

.By 1946 the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month, a remarkable feat considering it was still in disrepair.^By 1946 the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month, a remarkable feat considering the factory was still in disrepair: the damaged roof and windows meant rain stopped production; the steel to make the cars had to be bartered for new vehicles.

.Owing to roof and window damage, rain stopped production and new vehicles were bartered for steel required for more production.^In 1946, production resumed, but the new communist government quickly dropped the T97 in favor of the cheaper to build and overall 'more communistic' Tatraplan, which was named after the Communist Planned Economy.

A Picture Review of the Volkswagen Beetle from 1932 to 196028 January 2010 1:01 UTColdcarandtruckpictures.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^By 1946 the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month, a remarkable feat considering the factory was still in disrepair: the damaged roof and windows meant rain stopped production; the steel to make the cars had to be bartered for new vehicles.

.The car, and its town changed their Second World War-era names to "Volkswagen", and "Wolfsburg" respectively, and production was increasing.^The car and its town changed their Second World War-era names to Volkswagen and Wolfsburg respectively, and production was increasing.

.After an inspection of the plant, Sir William Rootes, head of the British Rootes Group, told Hirst the project would fail within two years, and that the car "is quite unattractive to the average motorcar buyer, is too ugly and too noisy … If you think you're going to build cars in this place, you're a bloody fool, young man".[citation needed] In an ironic twist of fate, Volkswagen would manufacture a locally built version of Rootes's Hillman Avenger in Argentina in the 1980s, long after Rootes had gone bankrupt at the hands of Chrysler in 1978—the Beetle outliving the Avenger by over 30 years.^After an inspection of the plant, Sir William Rootes , head of the British Rootes Group , told Hirst the project would fail within two years, and that the car "is quite unattractive to the average motorcar buyer, is too ugly and too noisy ...

.Ford representatives were equally critical: the car was "not worth a damn," according to Henry Ford II, the son of Edsel Ford, although he did reportedly look at the possibility of taking over the VW factory, but dismissed the idea as soon as he looked up Wolfsburg on the map and found it to be too close for comfort to the East German border.^Ford representatives were equally critical: the car was "not worth a damn."

1945 to 1948: survival in Allied-occupied Germany

In Occupied Germany, the Allies followed the Morgenthau Plan, to remove all German war potential, by complete or partial pastoralisation. As part of this, in the Industrial plans for Germany, the rules for which industry Germany was to be allowed to retain were set out. .German car production was set at a maximum of 10% of the 1936 car production numbers.^Prototypes of the car called the KdF-Wagen (German: Kraft durch Freude = "strength through joy"), appeared from 1936 onwards (the first cars had been produced in Stuttgart).

.As mentioned above, the Volkswagen factory at Wolfsburg came under British control in 1945; it was to be dismantled and shipped to Britain.^In April 1945 , KdF-Stadt and its heavily bombed factory were captured by the Americans, and handed to the British to administer.

.Thankfully for Volkswagen, no British car manufacturer was interested in the factory; "the vehicle does not meet the fundamental technical requirement of a motor-car … it is quite unattractive to the average buyer … To build the car commercially would be a completely uneconomic enterprise".[9] The factory survived by producing cars for the British Army instead.^Car manufacturers were not interested, but two motorcycle manufacturers were.

^After an inspection of the plant, Sir William Rootes , head of the British Rootes Group , told Hirst the project would fail within two years, and that the car "is quite unattractive to the average motorcar buyer, is too ugly and too noisy ...

.Allied dismantling policy changed in late 1946 to mid 1947, although heavy industry continued to be dismantled until 1951. In March 1947 Herbert Hoover helped change policy by stating: "There is the illusion that the New Germany left after the annexations can be reduced to a 'pastoral state'. It cannot be done unless we exterminate or move 25,000,000 people out of it".[10] Thanks to the protection of British Army Major Ivan Hirst, Volkswagen survived the perilous times, and became part of the German economic recovery.^British Army and Ivan Hirst, unclear future .

^Byline: Guido Reinking Volkswagen's plan to take over portions of insolvent German contract manufacturer and convertible roof-top specialist Karmann is good news for Karmann workers, but it makes little sense from an economic standpoint.

.From 1948, Volkswagen became a very important element, symbolically and economically, of West German regeneration.^An original and unmodified 1300 Deluxe dating from 1966 From 1948, Volkswagen became a very important element, symbolically and economically, of West German regeneration.

.Heinrich Nordhoff (1899–1968), a former senior manager at Opel who had overseen civilian and military vehicle production in the 1930s and 1940s, was recruited to run the factory in 1948. In 1949 Major Hirst left association with the company, as it had now been re-formed as a trust, controlled by the West German government, and the government of the State of Lower Saxony.^In 1949 Hirst left the company, now re-formed as a trust controlled by the West German government.

.On its entry to the U.S. market, the VW was briefly sold as a "Victory Wagon". Volkswagen of America was formed in April 1955 to standardize sales and service in the United States.^Volkswagens were first exhibited and sold in the United States in 1949 .

.Volkswagen Products were seen in Canada for the first time at the Canadian National Exhibition in August 1952 and were accepted enthusiastically.^In Canada, a full Westfalia camper was also offered at this time (with sink and stove), but Volkswagen chose not to offer it in the United States.

.The first shipment of cars reached Toronto in December 1952. By 1955 sales were on a basis that warranted the building of the fine Volkswagen plant on a 32 acre site on Scarboro's Golden Mile.^The green car is a 1951, Red is 1952 Zwitter and the Caramel & Creme is a 1955.

A Picture Review of the Volkswagen Beetle from 1932 to 196028 January 2010 1:01 UTColdcarandtruckpictures.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

^From July 1998 until December 2002, Volkswagen's Bentley division also sold cars under the Rolls-Royce name under an agreement with BMW , which had bought the rights to that name.

To this, a 60,000 square foot building with administration, showrooms, service, repairs and parts, an addition of 60,000 feet was built in 1957, with storage for $4,000,000 of parts. (See 1959 Canadian Register of Commerce & Industry held in the Western Libraries at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.)

.Sales soared — thanks in part to the famous advertising campaigns by New York advertising agency Doyle, Dane Bernbach.^Sales soared due in part, to the famous advertising campaigns by New York advertising agency, Doyle, Dane and Bernbach.

^Ahead of the new Rabbit, the fifth-generation GTI is already on sale in North America and has generated interest among the VW faithful with its "Make friends with your fast" and "Unpimp My Ride" advertising campaigns.

.Led by art director Helmut Krone, and copywriters Julian Koenig and Bob Levinson, Volkswagen advertisements became as popular as the car, using crisp layouts and witty copy to lure the younger, sophisticated consumers with whom the car became associated.^Lead by art director, Helmut Krone and copywriters Bob Levinson and Julian Koenig, Volkswagen ads became as popular as the car, using crisp layouts and witty copy to lure the younger, sophisticated consumers with whom the car became associated.

^Used VOLKSWAGEN Car Sales, Second Hand VOLKSWAGEN cars for sale Used VOLKSWAGENs for sale, Used VOLKSWAGEN for sale .

Used VOLKSWAGEN, Used VOLKSWAGEN for sale, Second Hand VOLKSWAGEN, Used VOLKSWAGENs for sale10 February 2010 11:48 UTCwww.autoweb.co.uk [Source type: News]

.Even though it was almost universally known as the Beetle (or the Bug), it was never officially labeled as such by the manufacturer, instead referred to as the Type 1. The first reference to the name Beetle occurred in U.S. advertising in 1968, but not until 1998 and the Golf-based New Beetle would the name be adopted by Volkswagen.^The first reference to the name Beetle occurred in U.S. advertising in 1968, but it was not until 1998 and the Volkswagen Golf-based New Beetle would the name be adopted by Wolfsburg.

.Although the car was becoming outdated, during the 1960s and early 1970s, American exports, innovative advertising, and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T.^During the 1960s and early 1970s, although the car was becoming outdated, American exports, innovative advertising and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T. By 1973 total production was over 16 million.

^During the 1960s and early 1970s , although the car was becoming outdated, American exports, innovative advertising and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T .

^During the 1960s and early 1970s, innovative advertising campaigns and a glowing reputation for reliability and sturdiness helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T, when Beetle No.

.Volkswagen could now claim the world production record for the most-produced, single make of car in history.^We all be very cautious while buying parts for our car but now we have a place that we can trust and its iautobodyparts.com At iAutoBodyParts.com you can find all the body replacement parts you could possibly require for your Volkswagen Jetta .

^By 1946 the factory was producing 1,000 cars a month, a remarkable feat considering the factory was still in disrepair: the damaged roof and windows meant rain stopped production; the steel to make the cars had to be bartered for new vehicles.

^During the 1960s and early 1970s, although the car was becoming outdated, American exports, innovative advertising and a growing reputation for reliability helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T. By 1973 total production was over 16 million.

.To commemorate its passing the Ford Model T's record sales mark and its victories in the Baja 1000 Mexican races from 1967 to 1971, Volkswagen produced its first limited-edition Beetle.^The Ingolstadt-based firm had the necessary expertise in front wheel drive and water-cooled engines that Volkswagen so desperately needed to produce a credible Beetle successor.

^During the 1960s and early 1970s, innovative advertising campaigns and a glowing reputation for reliability and sturdiness helped production figures to surpass the levels of the previous record holder, the Ford Model T, when Beetle No.

.It was marketed as the "Baja Champion SE"[11] in the United States and the "Marathon" Superbeetle in the rest of the world.^The Thing, as it was commonly called, was also sold in the civilian market and enjoyed brief popularity in the United States in the mid-1970s.

.Dealer-installed options for this limited-edition Superbeetle included the following: white stripes running the length of the rocker-panel, a special shifter knob, bumper overriders, tapered exhaust tips, fake walnut inserts in the dashboard (behind the steering wheel and the glovebox cover) as well as Bosch fog lights mounted on the front bumper.^Front Bumper Cover all .

1961 to 1973: product line expansion

.VW expanded its product line in 1961 with the introduction of several Type 3 models, which were essentially body style variations (Fastback, Notchback, Squareback) based on Type 1 mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the larger Type 4 (also known as the 411 and 412) models.^VW expanded their product line in 1967 with the introduction of several Type 3 models, which were essentially body style variations (Fastback, Notchback, Squareback) based on Type 1 mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the relatively unpopular Type 4 (also known as the 411 and 412) models, which differed substantially from previous models with the notable introduction of unibody construction, a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection , and a sturdier powerplant.

^VW expanded their product line in 1967 with the introduction of several Type 3 models, which were essentially body style variations (Fastback, Notchback, Squareback) based on Type 1 mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the relatively unpopular Type 4 (also known as the 411 and 412) models, which differed substantially from previous models with the notable introduction of unibody construction, a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection, and a sturdier powerplant.

.These differed substantially from previous vehicles, with the notable introduction of monocoque/unibody construction, the option of a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection, and a sturdier powerplant.^VW expanded their product line in 1967 with the introduction of several Type 3 models, which were essentially body style variations (Fastback, Notchback, Squareback) based on Type 1 mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the relatively unpopular Type 4 (also known as the 411 and 412) models, which differed substantially from previous models with the notable introduction of unibody construction, a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection, and a sturdier powerplant.

^VW expanded their product line in 1967 with the introduction of several Type 3 models, which were essentially body style variations (Fastback, Notchback, Squareback) based on Type 1 mechanical underpinnings, and again in 1969 with the relatively unpopular Type 4 (also known as the 411 and 412) models, which differed substantially from previous models with the notable introduction of unibody construction, a fully automatic transmission, electronic fuel injection , and a sturdier powerplant.

.Volkswagen added a "Super Beetle"[12] (the Type 113) to its lineup in 1971. The Type 113 differed from the standard Beetle in its use of a MacPherson strut front suspension instead of the usual torsion bars.^The Type 113 differed from the standard Beetle in its use of McPherson strut front suspension instead of torsion bars.

.Also the nose of the car was stretched 2 inches (51 mm) to allow the spare tire to lie flat, and the combination of these two features significantly increased the usable front luggage space.^Many of these shows feature camping, a car show called a "show 'n' shine", drag racing, parts swap meet, raffles, and other events.

.Despite the Super Beetle's (marketed outside North America as the VW 1302, later 1303) popularity with Volkswagen customers, purists preferred the standard Beetle with its less pronounced nose and its original torsion bar suspension.^Despite the Super Beetle's popularity with Volkswagen customers, purists preferred the standard Beetle with its less pronounced nose and its original torsion bar suspension.

.In 1973, Volkswagen introduced the military-themed Type 181, or "Trekker" in Europe and the UK, "Thing" in America, recalling the wartime Type 81. The military version was produced for the NATO-era German Army during the Cold War years of 1970 to 1979. The US Thing version only sold for two years, 1973 and 1974, thanks at least in part to Ralph Nader's automobile safety campaigns.^Thing/Type 181 .

.The former company owned the historic Audi brand, which had disappeared after the Second World War.^The car and its town changed their Second World War-era names to Volkswagen and Wolfsburg respectively, and production was increasing.

.VW ultimately merged Auto Union and NSU to create the modern day Audi company, and would go on to develop it as its luxury vehiclemarque.^REPORT: VW finished eating companies, will now focus on digestion 24 days ago .

.However, the purchase of Auto Union and NSU proved to be a pivotal point in Volkswagen's history, as both companies yielded the technological expertise that proved necessary for VW to survive when demand for its air-cooled models went into terminal decline as the 1970s dawned.^The Ingolstadt-based firm had the necessary expertise in front wheel drive and water-cooled engines that Volkswagen so desperately needed to produce a credible Beetle successor.

^It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.

1974: from Beetle to Golf/Rabbit

.Volkswagen was in serious trouble by 1973.[13] The Type 3 and Type 4 models had sold in much smaller numbers than the Beetle and the NSU-based K70 also failed to woo buyers.^The Type 3 and Type 4 models had been comparative flops, and the NSU -based K70 also failed to woo buyers.

A Picture Review of the Volkswagen Beetle from 1932 to 196028 January 2010 1:01 UTColdcarandtruckpictures.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

.Beetle sales had started to decline rapidly in European and North American markets.^VW eventually realized that the Beetle was the heart and soul of the brand in North America , and the firm quickly set about creating a new Beetle for American and Canadian showrooms.

^It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.

.The company knew that Beetle production had to end one day, but the conundrum of replacing it had been a never-ending nightmare.^The company knew that Beetle production had to end one day, but the conundrum of replacing it had been a never-ending nightmare.

.VW's ownership of Audi / Auto Union proved to be the key to the problem - with its expertise in front-wheel drive, and water-cooled engines which Volkswagen so desperately needed to produce a credible Beetle successor.^The key to the problem was the 1964 acquisition of Audi / Auto-Union .

.Audi influences paved the way for this new generation of Volkswagens, known as the Polo, Golf and Passat.^Audi influences paved the way for this new generation of Volkswagens, known as the Polo, Golf and Passat.

^View More Details Volkswagen New Polo Brand New - From £9,910 - £15,775 View Dealers Offers The latest Volkswagen Polo is the fifth generation in the supermini’s 34-year history and is the largest and most technically advanced but remains true to the ...

.The Volkswagen Polo was in fact simply a re-badging of the short-lived Audi 50, which had been hastily developed from a sedan design, the Audi 60.^Audi influences paved the way for this new generation of Volkswagens, known as the Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen Passat.

However, VW produced it shortly after the introduction of the Polo as the Volkswagen Derby. .In the rear of the car can plainly be seen that panels are added to the Polo structure to make a "three-box" design of saloon (sedan), or saloon with a boot or trunk.^Style-wise the Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens.

.The Volkswagen Passat (Dasher in the U.S.), introduced in 1973, was again simply a fastback (available as either a hatchback or with separate boot) version of the Audi 80, using identical body and mechanical parts, and the Audi 80 was later produced on the same line in Wolfsburg as the Passat.^Volkswagen Passat for parts .

Used parts for Volkswagen and Audi10 February 2010 11:48 UTCspecializedgerman.com [Source type: Original source]

Used parts for Volkswagen and Audi10 February 2010 11:48 UTCspecializedgerman.com [Source type: Original source]

.Estate/wagon versions were offered for overseas markets, however, for two years, if British and South African customers wanted an estate/wagon version, they had to go considerably upmarket and buy the Audi 80 GL estate.^However, it was beaten into third place for the 1998 European Car of the Year award by the winning Alfa Romeo 156 and runner-up Audi A6 .

.However, the pivotal model which would turn Volkswagen's fortunes emerged as the Volkswagen Golf in 1974, marketed in the United States and Canada as the Rabbit for the 1st generation (1975–1985) and 5th generation (2006–2009).^Volkswagen Golf Owner's Manual: 1985 .

.This was a car unlike its predecessor in most significant ways, both mechanically as well as visually (its angular styling was designed by the Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro).^Styling was penned at ItalDesign, by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

.Its design followed trends for small family cars set by the 1959 Mini — the Golf had a transversely mounted, water-cooled engine in the front, driving the front wheels, and had a hatchback, a format that has dominated the market segment ever since.^Its design followed trends for small family cars set by the 1959 Mini and 1972 Renault 5 "the Golf had a transversely mounted, water-cooled engine in the front, driving the front wheels, and had a hatchback , a format that has dominated the market segment ever since.

.Beetle production at Wolfsburg ended upon the Golf's introduction, but continued in smaller numbers at other German factories (Hanover and Emden) until 1978, but mainstream production shifted to Brazil and Mexico.^Beetle production continued in smaller numbers at other German factories (Essen) until 1978, but mainstream production shifted to Brazil and Mexico .

1974 to 1990: entering the mainstream

Volkswagen Polo, 1990

.While Volkswagen's range of cars soon became similar to that of other large European automakers, the Golf has been the mainstay of the Volkswagen lineup since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company.^Volkswagen Polo 1990 While Volkswagen's range of cars soon became similar to that of other large European car-makers, the Golf has been the mainstay of the Volkswagen lineup since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company.

^While Volkswagen's range of cars soon became similar to that of other large European car-makers, the Golf has been the mainstay of the Volkswagen lineup since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company.

^In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, garnering the European Car of the Year for 1992 (the previous two generations were nominated but lost to the Citroën CX in 1975 and the Fiat Uno in 1984).

.There have been six generations of the Volkswagen Golf, the first of which was produced from the summer of 1974 until the end of 1983 (sold as the Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Caribe in Latin America).^Volkswagens were first exhibited and sold in the United States in 1949.

^There have been five generations of the Volkswagen Golf, the first of which was produced from the summer of 1974 until the end of 1983, sold as the Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Caribe in Latin America.

.North American production of the Rabbit commenced at a factory in New Stanton, Pennsylvania in 1978. It would be produced in the United States as the Rabbit until the spring of 1984. The second-generation Golf hatchback/Jetta sedan ran from late 1983 to late 1991, and a North American version produced in Pennsylvania went on sale at the start of the 1985 model year.^It is essentially a sedan version of the Volkswagen Golf.

^This plant will produce cars specifically designed for North America beginning with the New Midsize Sedan, which will be more competitive with North American market leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

.The production numbers of the first-generation Golf has continued to grow annually in South Africa as the Citi Golf, with only minor modifications to the interior, engine and chassis, using tooling relocated from the New Stanton, Pennsylvania plant when that site began to build the Second Generation car.^The production numbers of the first generation Golf has continued to grow annually in South Africa with only slight modifications to the interior, engine and chassis.

^Not only was it the first step of VW moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between the mainstream machines and the premium cars, with SEAT and Škoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands, it also brought in a new level of interior quality and sophistication never seen before from a mainstream brand in the class.

.In the 1980s, Volkswagen's sales in the United States and Canada fell dramatically, despite the success of models like the Golf elsewhere.^In the eighties and early nineties, Volkswagen's sales in the United States and Canada fell dramatically, despite the success of models like the Golf elsewhere.

^It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.

The Japanese and the Americans were able to compete with similar products at lower prices. .Sales in the United States were 293,595 in 1980, but by 1984 they were down to 177,709.[14] The introduction of the second-generation Golf, GTI and Jetta models helped Volkswagen briefly in North America.^Volkswagen Golf GTI 25th Anniversary .

.Motor Trend named the GTI its Car of the Year for 1985, and Volkswagen rose in the J.D. Power buyer satisfaction ratings to eighth place in 1985, up from 22nd a year earlier.^Volkswagen GTI Owner's Manual: 1985 .

[15] VW's American sales broke 200,000 in 1985 and 1986 before resuming the downward trend from earlier in the decade. Chairman Carl Hahn decided to expand the company elsewhere, and the New Stanton, Pennsylvania factory closed on 14 July 1988.[16] Meanwhile, four years after signing a cooperation agreement with the Spanish car maker SEAT in 1982, Hahn expanded the company by purchasing a majority share of SEAT up to 75% by the end of 1986, which VW bought outright in 1990.[17]

.Volkswagen had entered the supermini market in 1976 with the Volkswagen Polo, a stylish and spacious three-door hatchback designed by Bertone.^Volkswagen CC – Click above for high-res image gallery Is "four-door coupe" an oxymoron or a clever twist on automotive design rules?

.It was a strong seller in West Germany and most of the rest of Western Europe, being one of the first foreign small cars to prove popular in Britain.^On one hand, blessing this idea by putting it into a real car (which is just about the most popular vehicle, and platform, on the planet) seems to give it a greater air of practicality.

.The second-generation model, launched in 1981 and sold as a hatchback and "coupe" (with the hatchback resembling a small estate car and the coupe being similar to a conventional hatchback), was an even greater success for Volkswagen.^Mark 2 (Facelift) Passat 5-door hatchback The second generation Volkswagen Passat was a large family car launched in 1981.

^In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, garnering the European Car of the Year for 1992 (the previous two generations were nominated but lost to the Citroën CX in 1975 and the Fiat Uno in 1984).

^The current Volkswagen Golf was launched in late 2004, came runner-up to the Fiat Panda in the 2004 European Car of the Year, and has so far spawned the new generation SEAT Toledo , Skoda Octavia and Audi A3 hatchback ranges as well as a new mini- MPV , the Seat Altea.

It was face-lifted in 1990 and was still selling well after 13 years, when it was replaced by the third-generation Polo in 1994.

1991 to 2000: moving upmarket

The 2000 Volkswagen Golf GL, in North American form

.In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, which was European Car of the Year for 1992 (the previous two generations were nominated but lost to the Citroën CX in 1975 and the Fiat Uno in 1984).^The third-generation Golf was elected Car of the Year in 1992.

.The Golf Mk3 and Jetta arrived in North America just before the start of 1994 model year, first appearing in southern California in the late spring of 1993. The sedan version of the Golf was badged Vento in Europe (but remained Jetta in the USA, where its popularity eventually outstripped the Golf).^The Vento debuted in 1991 while the Jetta debuted in 1993.

.The late 1990s saw a gradual change in perception of the company's products - with Audi having elevated itself into same league as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen moved upmarket to fill the void left by Audi; with SEAT and the further addition of the Czech car maker Škoda being acquired in the late 1990s, now occupying what was once VW's core market.^War meant production changed to military vehicles, the Type 81 Kübelwagen utility vehicle (VW's most common wartime model) and the amphibious Schwimmwagen .

^Not only was it the first step of VW moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between the mainstream machines and the premium cars, with SEAT and Škoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands, it also brought in a new level of interior quality and sophistication never seen before from a mainstream brand in the class.

.The first tangible evidence of this was the fifth-generation Passat in 1996 with its high-quality interior trim and standards of build quality which were demonstrably a cut above the run-of-the-mill Ford Mondeo, and Opel Vectra.^The new VW Eos is a stylish coupe cabriolet that demonstrates Volkswagens first class build quality.

^Volkswagen Fox Brand New - From £7,460 - £9,095 View Dealers Offers VOLKSWAGEN’S extensive and diverse range starts with the Volkswagen Fox city car which boasts the same build quality and high safety standards as the rest ...

^This was the first step of VW moving its products upmarket, with SEAT and Skoda taking over as the "budget" brands, and the Passat being placed in between old rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra, and more upmarket cars such as the BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Used parts for Volkswagen and Audi10 February 2010 11:48 UTCspecializedgerman.com [Source type: Original source]

.However, it was beaten into third place for the 1998 European Car of the Year award by the winning Alfa Romeo 156 and runner-up Audi A6.^However, it was beaten into third place for the 1998 European Car of the Year award by the winning Alfa Romeo 156 and runner-up Audi A6 .

^In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf, garnering the European Car of the Year for 1992 (the previous two generations were nominated but lost to the Citroën CX in 1975 and the Fiat Uno in 1984).

^In 1991, Volkswagen launched the third-generation Golf , garnering the European Car of the Year for 1992 (the previous two generations were nominated but lost to the Citroën CX in 1975 and the Fiat Uno in 1984).

.The other main models have been the Polo, a smaller car than the Golf, and the larger Passat for the segment above the Golf.^The other main models have been the Polo , a smaller car than the Golf, and the larger Passat for the segment above the Golf.

^The main tank is approximately the same size as other Mark 4 Passats, but filling its unusually capacious vent chamber allows the wagon to hold more than 100 liters (26.4 U.S. gallons) of diesel in an unmodified vehicle.

^The production car would be based on the Golf rather than the Polo, because the Polo chassis was too small for the car to pass crash test standards in the U.S. It has been quite popular in the North America, less so in Europe.

.By the early 1990s, Volkswagen's annual sales in the United States were below 100,000, and many car buyers found the company's products to be lacking in value.^The production estimate is 100,000 cars per year, with the first Scirocco rolling off the line in 2008.

.Some automotive journalists believed that Volkswagen would have to quit the North American market altogether.^Combined with a 70 L (18.5 U.S. gallon) fuel tank, it had a 1300+ km (800+ mi) range on a single tank of fuel, nearly unheard of in the North American market.

.VW eventually realized that the Beetle was the heart and soul of the brand in North America, and the firm quickly set about creating a new Beetle for American and Canadian showrooms.^More about the New Beetle Convertible.

^This plant will produce cars specifically designed for North America beginning with the New Midsize Sedan, which will be more competitive with North American market leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

.In 1994, Volkswagen unveiled the J Mays-designed Concept One, a "retro"-themed car with a resemblance to the original Beetle but based on the Polo platform.^In 1998, Volkswagen launched the J Mays-designed the Concept One , a "retro"-themed car with a resemblance to the original Beetle but based on the Golf chassis.

Its genesis was secret and in opposition to VW management, who felt it was too backward-looking. .Management could not deny the positive public response to the concept car and gave the green light to its development as the New Beetle.^Management could not deny the positive public response to the concept car and gave the green-light to its development as the New Beetle .

.The production car would be based on the Golf rather than the Polo, because the Polo frame was too small for the car to pass crash test standards in the U.S. It has been quite popular in the North America and is now gaining in the European Union.^The wide choice of Volkswagen cars start with the Volkswagen Fox city car, the classy Volkswagen Polo and popular VW Beetle .

^Since it had been used for military production, and had been a "political animal" (Hirst's words) rather than a commercial enterprise, the equipment was in time intended to be salvaged as war reparations.

.Volkswagen's fortunes in North America improved once the third-generation Golf and Jetta models became available there.^The Passat took over from the Jetta once again as Volkswagen 's top-of-the-line model for North America.

.Sharp advertising and clever promotional stunts, like including Trek bicycles, and accompanying bicycle racks with a limited edition of the 1996 Jetta sedan, were credited for the firm's recovery in the U.S. and Canada, but the introductions of the New Beetle and the fifth-generation Passat were a major boost to the brand.^View More Details Volkswagen New Polo Brand New - From £9,910 - £15,775 View Dealers Offers The latest Volkswagen Polo is the fifth generation in the supermini’s 34-year history and is the largest and most technically advanced but remains true to the ...

In the UK, Volkswagen's market share grew throughout the 1990s. .In 1990, the Golf was Britain's 12th most popular car with nearly 50,000 units sold.^Volkswagen Golf R will get LED tail lamps The Volkswagen Golf is easily one of the most popular hot hatches on the market today, the German automaker has (...

.The Mk3 Polo achieved similar success in the mid 1990s, but in 1999 the Mk4 Golf was Volkswagen's first ever entrant in Britain's top 10 list of most popular new cars.^Following the Volkswagen Group's acquisition of Audi in 1964, Volkswagen was able to use newly gained engineering expertise to develop a modern front wheel drive car with a water-cooled engine, and thus the Passat and Golf (the latter being introduced in 1974) were the first of a new generation of Volkswagens.

^View More Details Volkswagen New Polo Brand New - From £9,910 - £15,775 View Dealers Offers The latest Volkswagen Polo is the fifth generation in the supermini’s 34-year history and is the largest and most technically advanced but remains true to the ...

^View More Details Volkswagen Golf Estate Brand New - From £17,200 - £23,580 View Dealers THE Volkswagen Golf encompasses arguably the most diverse range of compact cars on the market, with four very different body styles and an impressively wide range of ...

.Its success continued into the 2000s, while the Polo and Passat were never far outside the top 10. Bad news for Volkswagen during this era was a dip in customer satisfaction.^The Volkswagen New Beetle entered production in 1998, and like it predecessors it was a very successful model.

.A brand which had built its reputation on reliability was now being overtaken by marques whose reputations had been damaged by quality problems.^Traditional Volkswagen trademarks of build quality and reliability continued to boost the Passat's reputation.

In the late 1990s Volkswagen acquired the three luxury brands Lamborghini (through Audi), Bentley and Bugatti which were mainly due to Ferdinand Piëch and added to the group portfolio. .Audi's plans for Lamborghini included a small supercar later to be named the Gallardo, and a new halo vehicle, the Murciélago, and later the Reventon limited edition halo car.^Byline: Diana T. Kurylko Volkswagen and Audi will debut new dealership design standards at a flagship store planned for Manhattan.

In late 2008 the idea of a 4-door saloon for the Lamborghini brand was shown in the form of the Lamborghini Estoque concept.

.For Bentley, its future within the Volkswagen Group seemed bright as the launch of the Bentley Continental range helped Bentley post record-breaking sales of 10,000. Bentley is in 2009 going to launch a new Arnage-replacing car codenamed Project Kimberly, the car being named the 'New Grand Bentley.'^Volkswagen Fox Brand New - From £7,460 - £9,095 View Dealers Offers VOLKSWAGEN’S extensive and diverse range starts with the Volkswagen Fox city car which boasts the same build quality and high safety standards as the rest ...

^The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is still the only average-priced sedan made in Europe and available in the U.S. 2009 hails the return of both the wagon and the diesel-fueled TDI models which gives new car buyers a wider selection. .

.Bugatti, after Volkswagen purchased the rights to use the name, showed three concept cars, the Bugatti EB110 (coupe and saloon) and the Bugatti Chiron.^Volkswagen - Used Cars for Sale - Carsforsale.com .

.Although Bugatti makes a huge loss on every Veyron, Volkswagen is still going to keep the brand and maybe will launch a new Rolls Royce Phantom-rivaling saloon rumored to be called Royale.^View More Details Volkswagen Eos Brand New - From £19,499 - £33,145 View Dealers Offers AS the UK continues to go coupe-cabriolet crazy Volkswagen weighs in with one of the most attractive models on the market, the Volkswagen ...

^View More Details Volkswagen Eos Brand New - From £19,499 - £33,145 View Dealers Offers AS the UK continues to go coupe-cabriolet crazy Volkswagen weighs in with one of the most attractive models on the market, the Volkswagen ...

^Not only was it the first step of VW moving its products upmarket to plug a gap between the mainstream machines and the premium cars, with SEAT and Škoda taking over as the "mainstream" brands, it also brought in a new level of interior quality and sophistication never seen before from a mainstream brand in the class.

.VW began marketing the Golf under the Rabbit name once again in the U.S. and Canada in June 2006. (The GTI had arrived to North America four months earlier).^Volkswagen Rabbit, GTI: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Repair Manual on DVD-ROM .

.The fifth-generation Jetta, and the performance version, the GLI, are also available in the United States and Canada.^In Canada, a full Westfalia camper was also offered at this time (with sink and stove), but Volkswagen chose not to offer it in the United States.

.The sixth-generation Passat and the fifth-generation Jetta both debuted in 2005, and VW has announced plans to expand its lineup further by bringing back the Scirocco by 2008. Other models in Wolfgang Bernhard's (Volkswagen brand CEO) "product offensive" include the Tiguan mid-sized SUV in 2008 and a Passat Coupé.^Volkswagen Jetta Service Manual: 2005-2008 (paper) .

^View More Details Volkswagen Tiguan Brand New - From £19,499 - £27,900 View Dealers Offers Volkswagen’s Tiguan is a recent arrival to the mid-range SUV sector and is a top-quality package bristling with new technology features.

^View More Details Volkswagen New Polo Brand New - From £9,910 - £15,775 View Dealers Offers The latest Volkswagen Polo is the fifth generation in the supermini’s 34-year history and is the largest and most technically advanced but remains true to the ...

.In November 2006 Bernd Pischetsrieder announced his resignation as Volkswagen Group CEO, and was replaced by Audi worldwide CEO Martin Winterkorn at the beginning of 2007. Winterkorn is credited with making Audi a challenger to the dominance of BMW and Mercedes, and his design-led strategy has led to Audi being considered one of the most important brands in the world.^View More Details Volkswagen Eos Brand New - From £19,499 - £33,145 View Dealers Offers AS the UK continues to go coupe-cabriolet crazy Volkswagen weighs in with one of the most attractive models on the market, the Volkswagen ...

.It remains to be seen how Winterkorn's focus on design shapes the Volkswagen brand's future.^Style-wise the Passat introduced a new design language, first seen on the Concept 1 concept car, for the latest generation of Volkswagens.

Nevertheless, Volkswagen continues to have complicated relations with both unions and shareholders. .The German state of Lower Saxony owns significant stock in VW, as does sports car manufacturer Porsche.^Volkswagen Scirocco The Volkswagen Scirocco is a compact sport car designed by the German automaker Volkswagen since 1974 to 1992.

In North America, VW faced many challenges. .After rising significantly between 1998 and 2001, VW's North American sales began to fall sharply leading to a 2005 loss of roughly US$1 billion for its operations in the U.S. and Canada.^Volkswagen Passat 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 including Wagon and 4Motion Repair Manual on DVD-ROM .

Profitability has not been strong, and the lack of reliability of the company's cars appears to bear some of the responsibility for this situation. .By 2005, its models sat near the bottom of Consumer Reports reliability ratings, and J.D. Power and Associates ranked VW 35th out of 37 bands in its initial quality survey.^Reliability, however, is not among them, according to the latest Consumer Reports reliability survey.

.Attempts to enter a new market segment also compromised Volkswagen's standing in North America.^The Volkswagen New Beetle entered production in 1998, and like it predecessors it was a very successful model.

.In 2002, Volkswagen announced the debut of its Phaeton luxury car, which was critically acclaimed but not well received in the marketplace.^Volkswagen Scirocco R : 2010 Sports car has international debut at the NÃ¼rburgring.

.VW announced its discontinuance in the U.S. market for the 2007 model year due to the disappointing sales.^Sounds a lot better than the Pumpe Dse (PD) engines VW was using for a few years before 2007.

.Volkswagen in 2005, despite challenges, still maintained North American sales of 224,195—a dramatic increase from the low in 1993 when US sales totaled only 49,533 vehicles.^Mark 3 Passat 4-door sedan (North American) The Mk 3 Passat was heavily facelifted in 1993, and because of this it has sometimes been referred to as the Mk IV Passat while Volkswagen even renamed the platform B4.

.Momentum continued for fiscal 2006, as VW's North American sales for the year were 235,140 vehicles, a 4.9 percent increase over 2005, despite a slump in domestic North American manufacturer's sales.^In 2005 VW announced its discontinuance in the US market for fall 2006, mainly due to the disappointing sales there and the need for major investments in the car's line of engines (W12 and V8) to meet new emission requirements.

.VW plans to close out the decade with the release on several new vehicles worldwide and a barrage of advertising.^Single cabs were not part of the original bus plan for VW. The VW bus was designed as a simple to operate vehicle to carry cargo.

.In conjunction with the introduction of new models, production location of Volkswagen vehicles also underwent great change.^VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Manufactured between : 11/30/2007 and 12/12/2007 Defect : on certain passenger vehicles, a fuel supply line was changed during production which could lead to insufficient sealing of the fuel supply line connector.

.All Golfs/Rabbits and GTIs as of 2006 are manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany, rather than VW's Mexican factory in Puebla, where Golfs and GTIs for the North American market were produced from 1989 to 1998, and the Brazilian factory in Curitiba, where Golfs and GTIs were produced from 1999 to 2006. (The Jetta has primarily been made in Mexico since 1989).^Applicable: 1999 and newer VW Golf, Jetta .

^All of these cars are being made in Germany for the North American market instead of at VW's South American factory, where Golfs and Jettas for the United States and Canada have been made in the past.

^Ahead of the new Rabbit, the fifth-generation GTI is already on sale in North America and has generated interest among the VW faithful with its "Make friends with your fast" and "Unpimp My Ride" advertising campaigns.

VW is also in the process of reconfiguring an automotive assembly plant in Belgium. The new models and investments in manufacturing improvements were noticed immediately by automotive critics. .Favorable reviews for VW's newest cars include the GTI being named by Consumer Reports as the top sporty car under $25,000, one of Car and Driver magazine's "10 Best" for 2007, Automobile Magazine's 2007 Car of the Year, as well as a 2008 Motor Trend comparison ranking the mid-size Passat first in its class.^In China, the Santana is their version of the Passat and is the best selling car in 2007.

.The J. D. Power and Associates 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study scored Volkswagen fourteenth overall with strong performances by its new Jetta and Passat models.^The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is still the only average-priced sedan made in Europe and available in the U.S. 2009 hails the return of both the wagon and the diesel-fueled TDI models which gives new car buyers a wider selection. .

.Volkswagen is recognized as one of the leading small diesel engine manufacturers, and is partnering with Mercedes and other companies to market BlueTec clean diesel technology, calling it BlueMotion.^Under the hood there is a 2.0-liter clean diesel engine that produces 140 hp and an impressive 236 lbs.-ft.

.Volkswagen has offered a number of its vehicles with a TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine, which lends class-leading fuel economy to several models.^Volkswagen Tiguan Track & Avenue Volkswagen is extending their lineup of compact crossovers with a new special edition model that offers owners a (...

^VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Manufactured between : 11/30/2007 and 12/12/2007 Defect : on certain passenger vehicles, a fuel supply line was changed during production which could lead to insufficient sealing of the fuel supply line connector.

.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, four of the ten most fuel-efficient vehicles available for sale in the U.S. in 2004 were powered by Volkswagen diesel engines.^GERMANY - Volkswagen AG planned to acquire a ##% stake in MAN AG, a Munich- based manufacturer and wholesaler of commercial vehicles, engines and mechanical engineering equipments.

^VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Manufactured between : 03/01/2004 and 08/29/2004 Defect : on certain passenger vehicles, the high pressure diesel pumps were produced with an improper fastener, which could allow diesel fuel to escape from the pump.

.As of 2007, VW has not yet offered a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain such as that in the Toyota Prius (though a diesel-electric hybrid 5th generation Jetta was produced as a test vehicle).^See your local VW dealer for this limited time offer or for one of many other great lease deals available on Jetta models.

.In addition, all Volkswagen TDI diesel engines produced from 1996 to 2006 can be driven on 100% biodiesel fuel.^In addition, all VAG TDI diesel engines produced since 1996 can be driven on 100% biodiesel.

For the 2007 model year, however, strict U.S. government emissions regulations have forced VW to drop most diesels from their U.S. engine lineup, but a new lineup of diesel engines compatible to U.S. standards are due for 2008.

.Volkswagen long resisted adding a utility vehicle to its lineup, but it finally relented with the introduction of the Touareg in the early 2000s, sharing major components with the Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 sport utility vehicles.^Volkswagen plans to build the BlueSport at former Karmann facility The German automaker Volkswagen has a long history with the independent motor vehicle manufacturing firm Karmann, (...

Though acclaimed as a fine handling vehicle, the Touareg has been a modest seller at best. .Some automotive analysts blame the Touraeg's absence of a third-row seat, the relatively poor fuel economy, and the high vehicle mass.^Though it was having some odds in it like weak power, rough ride, and high noise level, it has been the only vehicle that was produced for the longest and most produced vehicle of its type.

^This variant, sold from 2004-2005, is relatively rare on the used market and examples in good condition command high resale prices for their fuel economy and ability to operate on increasingly inexpensive biofuels.

.VW plans to add a compact SUV with styling influences from its "Concept A" concept vehicle.^Single cabs were not part of the original bus plan for VW. The VW bus was designed as a simple to operate vehicle to carry cargo.

.On July 20, 2006, VW announced that the new vehicle would be called the Tiguan.^In 2005 VW announced its discontinuance in the US market for fall 2006, mainly due to the disappointing sales there and the need for major investments in the car's line of engines (W12 and V8) to meet new emission requirements.

.Since the discontinuance of the T4 in 2003 and decision not to bring the T5 to the US market, it was ironic that Volkswagen lacked a van in its North American lineup considering that VW was a major player in the development of the class with its original Transporter.^Body #2784, European specification, originally purchased in Germany by a member of the US military, then shipped to the US. I have the birth certificate from Volkswagen showing .....

^In 2005 VW announced its discontinuance in the US market for fall 2006, mainly due to the disappointing sales there and the need for major investments in the car's line of engines (W12 and V8) to meet new emission requirements.

.The firm did however launch a rebadged DaimlerChrysler named the Volkswagen Routan for the U.S. and Canadian markets in 2008. Owing to technical difficulty adapting the Polo to meet North American vehicle regulations, VW presented in 2006 the "Iroc" as a concept of the proposed 2009 Scirocco as a potential new small model.^APR offer good on new 2009 Routan models.

^View More Details Volkswagen Eos Brand New - From £19,499 - £33,145 View Dealers Offers AS the UK continues to go coupe-cabriolet crazy Volkswagen weighs in with one of the most attractive models on the market, the Volkswagen ...

^View More Details Volkswagen New Polo Brand New - From £9,910 - £15,775 View Dealers Offers The latest Volkswagen Polo is the fifth generation in the supermini’s 34-year history and is the largest and most technically advanced but remains true to the ...

.Both models were originally the Mk4 Golf and Jetta but were later replaced with the Brazilian versions of the Golf Mk4 and Bora.^The reason why the reliability of VW Jettas and Golf sucks in USA and Passat does not, is because the USA version of Jettas and Golfs are made in Mexico, whereas the Passat is made in Germany.

The City Golf and City Jetta were introduced to compete with the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. .Volkswagen's introduction of such models is seen as a test of the market for a subcompact and, if successful, may be the beginnings of a thriving subcompact market for Volkswagen.^It was critical to Volkswagen on its introduction in 1973, as the sales of the aging Beetle were declining, and larger air-cooled rear-engined models like the Volkswagen Type 3 and 411 and 412 based on older technology were also failing to take hold in the market.

.When Martin Winterkorn became the eighth postwar CEO of Volkswagen, the company made several personnel changes in Wolfsburg.^The car and its town changed their Second World War-era names to Volkswagen and Wolfsburg respectively, and production was increasing.

^Volkswagen Polo 1990 While Volkswagen's range of cars soon became similar to that of other large European car-makers, the Golf has been the mainstay of the Volkswagen lineup since its introduction, and the mechanical basis for several other cars of the company.

The 1L is a lightweight two-person vehicle made out of a magnesium frame covered by an unpainted carbon-fiber skin. Every component of the vehicle is intended to reduce the vehicle's weight. .Aluminum brakes, carbon-fiber wheels, titanium hubs, and ceramic bearings all contribute to the vehicle's light weight of a mere 290 kg.^All Wheel Drive Vehicles .

To reduce the weight even further, and to increase the aerodynamics of the vehicle, there are no rearview mirrors. Instead, the car is equipped with cameras that display visual information to the driver through the internal LCD screen. .The car is extremely fuel-efficient, each gallon of fuel will take you over 235 miles.^If regular unleaded is $3, the 2.5L car will have a fuel cost of $0.12 per mile.

The fuel tank holds just 1.7 gallons, making the entire travel distance capability about 400 miles per tank. Its top speed is 120 km/h (75 mph), which although not very fast is a welcome tradeoff for the huge savings in fuel consumption.

On July 15, 2008 Volkswagen announced that they will construct an automobile assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[18].This plant will produce cars specifically designed for North America beginning with the New Midsize Sedan, which will be more competitive with North American market leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.^Volkswagen Passat Brand New - From £17,745 - £34,030 View Dealers Offers Volkswagen has the distinction of producing arguably the best family car on the market in terms of roominess, build quality and value for money.

.Production is scheduled to begin in early 2011 and is expected to end more than five years of losses in the world's largest auto market.^If anything, my phone is ringing off the hook more than last year.

.By the end of Quarter 3, 2009, Volkswagen had overtaken Toyota as the world's largest car manufacturer, selling c.^GERMANY - Volkswagen AG agreed to acquire Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, an Osnabrueck- based manufacturer of cars.

4.8m vehicles (4.4m estimated by IHS Global Insight) in the 9 months to the end of September. By comparison Toyota had sold just 4m in the same period. Toyota later challenged this claim, stating that their production figures were 4.9m. .However, the independent source for the data, IHS Global Insight, re-stated its belief that Volkswagen had overtaken Toyota in the first 3 quarters of 2009. Whilst this is a significant change in the global pecking order, it's widely believed that Toyota will overtake Volkswagen again, possibly by the end of 2009, as production is ramped up as the world emerges from its economic slump.^Global Credit Research Rating Action ## MAR #### Rating Action: Volkswagen Financial Services Singapore Ltd Moody's changes Volkswagen's outlook to stable and affirms the A#/P-# ratings.

However, Volkswagen should retain the number two spot, having also overtaken GM in recent months. Volkswagen is aiming to become, sustainably, the world's largest car maker by 2018.

.In December 9, 2009, Volkswagen AG and Suzuki reach a common understanding to establish a close long-term strategic partnership.^Byline: Matthias Krust Volkswagen AG's stake in the Japanese small car specialist Suzuki Motor Corp.

Relationship with Porsche, and the Volkswagen Law

.Volkswagen has always had a close relationship with Porsche, the Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, the original Volkswagen designer and Volkswagen company founder.^Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen), a majority- owned unit of Porsche Automonbil Holding SE (Porsche), discontinued rumors that it was planning to acquire the sports car business of Porsche, a Stuttgart-based manufacturer of motor vehicles, accessories and spare parts.

.The two companies continued their collaboration in 1969 to make the VW-Porsche 914 and 914-6, whereby the 914-6 had a 6-cylinder Porsche engine, and the standard 914 had a 4-cylinder Volkswagen engine, and in 1976 with the Porsche 912E (USA only), and the Porsche 924, which used many Audi components and was built at an Audi Neckarsulm factory.^Byline: Diana T. Kurylko Volkswagen and Audi will debut new dealership design standards at a flagship store planned for Manhattan.

Most 944s also were built there, although they used far fewer VW components.

.The Porsche Cayenne, introduced in 2002, shares its entire chassis with VW Touareg and Audi Q7, which are built at the Volkswagen factory in Bratislava.^Volkswagen AG will install flagship dealerships for VW and Audi in a #-story building in New York City that formerly housed a Potamkin family GM store.

.In September 2005, Porsche announced it would increase its 5% stake in Volkswagen to 20% at a cost of €3 billion, with the intention that the combined stakes of Porsche and the government of Lower Saxony would ensure that any hostile takeover by foreign investors would be impossible.^Qatar Investment Authority acquires a minority stake in Volkswagen AG from Porsche Automobil Holding SE (pending) .

.On February 13, 2007 Advocate GeneralDámaso Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer ruled that a German law preventing any shareholder in Volkswagen from executing more than 20% of the total voting rights in the firm was illegally restricting the flow of capital in Europe.^View More Details Volkswagen Beetle Brand New - From £12,990 - £22,040 View Dealers Offers VOLKSWAGEN’S Beetle is a car that rules the heart.

[22] This again opened the possibility of a hostile takeover of VW and so on 26 March of the same year Porsche took its holding of Volkswagen shares to 30.9%. .Porsche formally announced in a press statement that it did not intend to take over Volkswagen, but intended the move to avoid a competitor taking a large stake and to stop hedge funds from dismantling VW.[23] As expected, on October 22, 2007 the European Court of Justice ruled in agreement with Ruiz-Jarabo and the law was struck down.^Volkswagen Breaking VW Dismantling of Current Volkswagen Cars.

.On October 26, 2008, Porsche finally revealed its plan to assume control of VW. As of that day, it held 42.6 percent of Volkswagen's ordinary shares and stock options on another 31.5 percent.^Rumor dispelled that Volkswagen AG was planning acquisition of Porsche Auto Hldg SE-Sports Ca .

^GERMANY - Volkswagen AG, a unit of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, was rumored to be planning to acquire the remaining ##.#% interest or ##.### mil ordinary shares, which it did not already own, in MAN SE, a Munich-based … .

Combined with the state of Lower Saxony's 20.1% stake, this left only 5.8% of shares on the market most of which were held by index funds who could not legally sell.[25]Hedge funds desperate to cover their short positions forced Volkswagen stock above one thousand euros per share, briefly making it the world's largest company by market capitalization on October 28, 2008.[26]

On 6 May 2009 the two companies decided to join together, in a merger.

On August 13, Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft's Supervisory Board signed the agreement to create an integrated automotive group with Porsche led by Volkswagen. .The initial decision was for Volkswagen to take a 42.0 percent stake in Porsche AG by the end of 2009, and it would also see the family shareholders selling the automobile trading business of Porsche Holding Salzburg to Volkswagen.^Volkswagen AG acquires a minority stake in Dr Ing hcF Porsche AG from Porsche Automobil Holding SE .

.Volkswagen of America Inc. promotes its work in developing "clean diesel", and other fuel-efficient technologies, to increase U.S. sales to environmentally conscious consumers.^Volkswagen of America, Inc.

.One of the vehicles being promoted is the 2009 clean-diesel Jetta TDI, which has a 16-valve, four-cylinder common raildirect injection engine which reduces emissions by 90 percent.^APR offer good on new 2009 Jetta SportWagen models (excludes TDI).

Volkswagen also claims that this model has the advantage of fuel economy in the mid-50s and mid-40s in city conditions. .Stefan Jacoby, CEO of America's Volkswagen, said that it will be released in a sedan and sport-wagon model in May 2008 in California, becoming the first 50-state clean diesel offering.^The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta is still the only average-priced sedan made in Europe and available in the U.S. 2009 hails the return of both the wagon and the diesel-fueled TDI models which gives new car buyers a wider selection. .

Alternative fuel

Neat ethanol vehicles

.Volkswagen do Brasil produced and sold neat ethanol vehicles (E100 only) in Brazil, and production was discontinued only after they were substituted by the more modern technology of flexible-fuel vehicles.^Listed until its sold for Only $17.95 SELL YOUR VOLKSWAGEN .

As a response to the 1973 oil crisis, the Brazilian government began promoting bioethanol as a fuel, and the National Alcohol Program -Pró-Álcool- (Portuguese: Programa Nacional do Álcool) was launched in 1975.[33][34][35] Compelled by the second oil crisis, and after development and testing with government fleets by the Brazilian General Command for Aerospace Technology (CTA) (CTA) at São José dos Campos, and further testing of several prototypes developed by the four local carmakers, including Volkswagen do Brasil, neat ethanol vehicles were launched in the Brazilian market beginning in that year.[33][34].Gasoline engines were modified to support hydrous ethanol characteristics and changes included compression ratio, amount of fuel injected, replacement of materials that would get corroded by the contact with ethanol, use of colder spark plugs suitable for dissipating heat due to higher flame temperatures, and an auxiliary cold-start system that injects gasoline from a small tank in the engine compartment to help starting when cold.^I would think with a hybrid system it would help with cold weather sluggishness.

.Six years later around three quarters of Brazilian passenger cars were manufactured with ethanol engines.^It only took three and a half years, but my prognostication about diesel hybrid passenger vehicles is finally wringing true.

Production and sales of neat ethanol vehicles tumbled beginning in 1987 owing to several factors, including a sharp decline in gasoline prices as a result of the 1980s oil glut, and high sugar prices in the world market, shifting sugarcane ethanol production from fuel to sugar. .By mid 1989 a shortage of ethanol fuel supply in the local market left thousands of vehicles in line at gas stations or out of fuel in their garages, forcing consumers to abandon ethanol vehicles.^Companies Divisions Emblems by Brand Hood Ornaments by Brand Tuners Gas Stations Miscellaneous MARKETING .

Flexible-fuel vehicles

In March 2003, on its fiftieth anniversary, Volkswagen do Brasil launched in the local market the Gol 1.6 Total Flex, the first Brazilian commercial flexible fuel vehicle capable of running on any mix of E20-E25 gasoline and up to 100% hydrous ethanol fuel (E100).[38][39][40][41] After the neat ethanol fiasco, consumer confidence on ethanol-powered vehicles was restored, allowing a rapid adoption of the flex technology, which was facilitated by the fuel distribution infrastructure already in place throughout Brazil, with more than 30 thousand fueling stations, a heritage of the Pró-Álcool program,[42][43]

.Owing to the success and rapid consumer acceptance of the flex versions, by 2005 VW had sold 293,523 flex cars and light-duty trucks, and only 53,074 gasoline-powered automobiles,[44] jumping to 525,838 flex-fuel vehicles while selling only 13,572 cars and 248 light trucks powered by gasoline in 2007,[45] and reaching new car sales of 564,959 flex fuels in 2008, representing 96 percent of all cars and light-duty trucks sold in that year.^Volkswagen 2008 December Sales A decrease of 3.2 percent versus 2007 sales.

[46].VW do Brasil stopped manufacturing gasoline-only vehicles models for the local market in 2006,[39] and remaining gasoline-engine sales comes from imports.^See your local VW dealer for this limited time offer or for one of many other great lease deals available on CC models.

The flex fuel models produced for the local market are Gol, Fox, CrossFox, Parati, Polo Hatch, Polo Sedan, Saveiro, Golf, and Kombi.[47] By March 2009 Volkswagen do Brasil had attained the milestone mark of two million flexible-fuel vehicles produced since 2003.[48][49]

Electric vehicles

Volkswagen announced it has hired Karl-Thomas Neumann as its group chief officer for electric traction.[50]

.Volkswagen and Sanyo have teamed up to develop a hybrid vehicle battery system.^With the Amarok, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is now also entering the segment of mid-range pick-ups, representing an annual market volume of two million vehicles worldwide.

.Volkswagen head Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the company plans to build compact hybrid vehicles.^VW New Compact Coupe Concept For Volkswagen this marks the beginning of an action-packed year, in which more new models will be introduced than ever before in the company`s history.

He has stated "There will definitely be compact hybrid models, such as Polo and Golf, and without any great delay", with gasoline and diesel engines. For example, Golf is the ideal model to go hybrid as the Golf 1.4 TSI was recently awarded the “Auto Environment Certificate” by the Oko-Trend Institute for Environmental Research, and was considered as one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles of 2007.[52] Also underway at Volkswagen's BraunschweigR&D facilities in Northern Germany is a hybrid version of the next-generation Touareg, due in 2010.[53]

VW intends all future models to have the hybrid option. “Future .VW models will fundamentally also be constructed with hybrid concepts,” VW head of development Ulrich Hackenberg told Automobilwoche in an interview.^VW New Compact Coupe Concept For Volkswagen this marks the beginning of an action-packed year, in which more new models will be introduced than ever before in the company`s history.

Hackenberg mentioned that the car based on the up! concept seen at Frankfurt Motor Show,[54] as well as all future models, could be offered with either full or partial hybrid options. The rear-engine up! will go into production in 2011. Nothing has been said about plug-in hybrid options.[55]

.Dodge Grand Caravan-based VW. A quick fix to get VW in the N.A. minivan market before bringing over European models.^VW New Compact Coupe Concept For Volkswagen this marks the beginning of an action-packed year, in which more new models will be introduced than ever before in the company`s history.

Motorsport

In 1966, Volkswagen starting in Formula Vee — circuit racing with cars built from easily available Beetle parts — took off in Europe. It proved very popular as a low-cost route into formula racing.[59]

In 1976, Volkswagen entered the under-2000-cc Trans-Am Series, with the Scirocco, and they won their class outright.[60]

In 1981, now based in Hanover, and renamed Volkswagen Motorsport, VW took a new direction into rallying, with the launch of the first-generation Golf, and Sweden's Per Eklund, Frenchman Jean-Luc Thérier, and the Finn Pentti Airikkala. The final chapters in Volkswagen Racing UK's rallying story were the 'one-make' Castrol Polo Challenge, and the Polo GTI 'Super 1600' in 2001.

In 2000, Volkswagen started a one-make racing cup with the newly released to Europe New Beetle called the ADAC New Beetle Cup. Beside that, the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup, founded in 1998, is continued to support young talents on the way to the top.

In 2001, the department was renamed Volkswagen Racing, and since then has concentrated all its efforts on developing its circuit racing championship, the Volkswagen Racing Cup.

In 2003, VW replaced the ADAC Volkswagen Lupo Cup with the newly released Polo, to become the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup.

Australia: VW has a very close relationship with motorsport. It was the REDeX and Mobil Trials of the 1950s which propelled VW to be a sales success in Australia. In 1999 and 2000, VW won the F2 Australian Rally Championship with the Golf GTI. In 2001 and 2002, VW raced the New Beetle RSI in the GT Performance series, it was close to the top of the board both seasons. In 2003, VW Australia was the first to race and develop the R32 Golf in the 2004 GT Performance series, and came 2nd overall.

Finland: In 2002, VW won the Finnish Rally Championship in a7/(F2), with a Golf Mk4 KitCar, with Mikko Hirvonen. In 1999 and 2000, VW won the Finnish Rally Championship in a7/(F2) with a Golf Mk3 KitCar. In 2000, 2001 and 2002, VW won the Finnish Racing Championship in Sport 2000 with a Golf Mk4.[61]

Austria: From 1967 until 1974, the Austrian sole distributor "Porsche Salzburg (Austria)" successfully entered the VW Beetle (1500, 1302S and 1303S) in Europe-wide rallies. Victories were achieved in 1972 and 1973 in the overall Austrian championship, on Elba, in the Acropolis rally (first in class). The last versions used the 1600 cc engine with 125 hp and a 5-speed Porsche 914 transmission. Top drivers were Tony Fall (GB), Achim Warmbold (D), Günter Janger (A), Harry Källström(S).

United States: Beginning in 2008 Volkswagen introduced the Jetta TDI Cup. The Jetta TDI Cup is a SCCA sanctioned race series that features 25 drivers between the ages of 16 and 26 driving slightly modified 2009 Jetta TDIs. The series features 10 events at 8 different road courses across North America. There is $50,000 prize money at stake over the course of the series in addition to the $100,000 prize awarded to the champion of the series at the conclusion of the last race.[62]

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

German

Proper
noun

Volkswagen is a car company from Germany. It was started in the 1930s, at the request of the country's leader, Adolf Hitler, who wanted a "people's car" which is what the word volkswagen means in German. Hitler asked Dr. Ferdinand Porsche to design a car that almost anyone could afford. Though Hitler never learned to drive, he had a keen interest in cars. Hitler wanted the car to have a rear mounted engine. It was to be cooled by air instead of water. The car needed to be able to travel at least 100 km/h, or about 60 mph. Also, Hitler wanted the car to be able to move easily through the air. He thought a car shaped like a beetle would do that. The first name given to the car was "KdF-Wagen." "KdF" stood for Kraft durch Freude, or "Strength through Joy." Some were made, but production ended after World War II started. The factory built cars for the German military instead. After the war, people from the United Kingdom and the United States reopened the factory and started production again. The cars, especially the Volkswagen Beetle or "Bug" became popular and well-known all over the world. The Beetle later became one of the best selling cars in history. It was built for many years afterward in factories in Germany, Brazil and Mexico. The last Volkswagen Beetle (called the Volkswagen Sedan by the company) to be built was built in Mexico. It was built in 2004. Volkswagen has a new car called the "New Beetle." It looks a bit like the old car, but is larger, faster and much more suited to today's modern world in terms of design.

Some of Volkswagen's popular cars are the Golf, Jetta, Polo,Beetle and the Passat. VW's as they are commonly known, have also entered the off road segment with cars like the Touarag,and the commercial segment with the Touran. This year sees VW's 21st anniversary since the Golf 1 entered our shores in the 1980's. With record sales every year the Golf 1 remains the hottest hatch in the market. Since its birth VW has sold over 315 000 uits of the Golf 1 alone. 2005 saw the entry of the fifth generation of the Golf. The flagbearer - the GTi - is powered by a 147Kw 2.0l 4 cylinder turbo charged engine,with VW DSG and FSI technology. The Golf GTi has evolved a long way since the 80's but the fifth generation GTi is criticised as it does not live up to the expectations and standards set by the legendary Mk1 GTi, which was fitted with an 1800, 8 valve motor.